Register-control telephone-exchange system



April 22 1924. 1,491,327

T. VAN AMSTEL REGISTER CONTROL TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SYSTEM Filed Nov. 21 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 4% J0 v A, L F 1;. FE/ -232 5, E4

ml/ewfar 7Z/00r l/an Amsfe/ A ril 22, 1924. 1,491,327

T. VAN AMSTEL REGISTER CONTROL TELEPHONE EXCHANGE SYSTEM Fiied Nov. 21, 1919 r 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2

, /n van for. Tudor Van rns'fe Patented Apr. 22, 1924.

UNITED STATES 491,327 PATENT OFFICE. I

TUDOR VAN AMSTEL,-OF NEW YORK, N. Y. ASSIG NOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC GOM- PANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

REGISTER-CONTROL TELEPHONE-EXCHANGE SYSTEM.

Application filed November 21, 1919. Serial No. 339,603,

To all '1 about it m (by co'nccrn Be it known that I, TUDOR VAN Aarsrnn, a subject otthe King of Great Britain, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Register-Control TelephoneEXcl1ange Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in telephone exchange systems and has particular reference to register controlling means employed in semimechanical systems.

In systems of this character it is customary to employ registers and a large number ot keys are requiredtor effecting the proper operation of the various switches necessary in' establishing a connection. The keyboards of such registers are provided with as many sets of ten keys each as there are digits in the highest number to be provided for and, ,in addition, have what are commonly known as oilice and tandem keys employed for class, district brush and group, and otfice brush and group selection. It registers of this character are used, as for instance, in an exchange having a capacity of ten thousand lines, itis necessary for the operator to depress, in addition to the office or tandem keys, tour numerical keys representing the thousands, hundreds, tens and units digits of the wanted line. These keys are locked in their operated positions and cannot be again useduntil a certain stage of the operation in establishing a con nection is reached.

111 some systems employing register control such as above, means arealso. provided whereby lines may be designated by numbers of; less than tourdigits which permits of the exchange being equippedwith a com: plete number oflines.

Other systems are known, wherein a single set of keys may be employed and each used as a thousands key, hundreds key, etc., as may berequired to set a proper register, each key being released immediately after its operation to cause the entire set of keys to be associated with .a succeeding register, whereby any one of said keys may be again operated to set said register. However, such systems, so far as known, have no means whereby a connection might be established to lines having numbers containinga lesser number of digits than that in the highest number to be provided for.

An object of the present invention is to combine the advantages of the above systems by providing a system of register control wherein a single set of keys may be employed in setting the various registers and wherein lines may be designated by numbers containing a lesser number of digits than that of the highest number in an exchange.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accon'ipanying drawings wherein Figs. 1 and 2, with Fig. 2 at the right of Fig. 1, illustrate diagrammatically the circuits for setting the registers, only so much of the latter being shown as is necessary for a complete understanding of 1 the invention.

In accordance with the invention, a single set of ten keys, shown in Fig. v1, is associated with the various registers necessary to the establishment of a connection. Preferably, the operation of any key which corresponds to the first digit of a desired number is designed to set registers for obtaining class, district brush and district group selections. The operation of two more keysis then required for the oliice brush and group selections whereupon the numerical registers are similary set in accordance with the remaining digits of the wanted number. After the operation and release of each key, progression switches are preferablyprovided which associate the set of keys with the next succeeding register to be operated so that any one of said keys may again be utilized for the setting of said register. In order that lines may be designated by numbers containing a lesser number of digits than that required by the highest number within an exchange a set of master keys shown at the left of Fig. l, is provided. These keys are pre't'el' ably of the mechanically locking type and according to which one is depressed, progressionswitches are operated one,two or three times to associate the set of ten keys with proper numerical registers. For example, in a ten thousand line exchange, if a desired number contained only three numerical digits instead of the usual tour, the operation of the hundreds master key would have the effect oi immediately associating the set of ten keys "#3 l"-h the hundreds register and thus avoid the setting of the thousands register when the key corresponding to the first numerical digit of the required number is depressed. The progression switches employed with the numerical registers are also operated after each depression and release of any one of the set of ten keys, to associate said keys with the register which corresponds to the next succeeding digit of a number. Similarly if the tens master key is depressed, the progression switches are operated two steps to associate the set of ten keys with only the tens and units registers.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the set of ten keys are designated by the numerals 1 to O in numerical order, the last key being also employed, at times, as a starting key while certain of the other keys may be used to designate various stations within the exchange, in which instance these keys act as starting keys. Two progression step-by-step switches A and B (Fig. 2) are provided for the set of keys, the first named switch serving the first five keys, while the second switch serves the last five. The switches each have, respectively, five wipers a, a etc., and b 6 etc., each wiper being individual to one of said keys. Each wiper is designed to close circuits for a group of relays ll, 12 and 13, only the group associated with wiper a being shown. @The groups of relays of the other wipers are indicated by leads extending from the terminals engaged by the respective wipers. Associated with the various groups of relays are registers for class, district brush, distriet group, ofiice brush and oflice group selections. These registers may be of any desired type well known in the art, and inthe present instance, the use of registers such as employed in the patent to A. E. Lundell and Edgar H. Clark dated June 8, 1920, No. 1342823, is contemplated. Only so much of these registers is shown as is necessary for a complete understanding of the invention and, in the order above named, are indicated by numerals 14 to l8,respectively, applied to the sequence switch contacts associated therewith.

As in the above mentioned patent, wherein tandem keys may be employed in setting the various oflice registers the operation of relay 11, of any one of the ten groups of relays, in response to the depression of the key corresponding to the first digit of the oflice designation of any number, is designed to effect the proper setting of the class, district brush and district group registers represented by the sequence switch contacts 14, 15 and 16. The next two keys depressed will then cause the energization of relays 12 and 13 of the same or different groups'which will, in turn, ground the proper sequence switch contact to effect the setting of the ofiice brush and group registers. It will be noted that relays 11, 12 and 13 associated with wiper a will, when energized ground a sequence switch contact of each register in position 1. The relays associated with wiper a will, when energized ground a sequence switch contact of each register in po sition 2. Similarly, the relays associated with the remaining wipers will ground the switch contacts in numerical order.

After three keys have been depressed for the purpose of setting the difierent oflice registers, the wipers of switches A and B will be in their fourth positions, and the operation of further keys representing the re maining digits of a number will cause the successive energization of thousands, hundreds, tens and units relays assuming that the number consists of four digits. One group of relays 19, 20, 21 and 22 (Fig. 1) associated with wiper c of a progression switch 0 is shown while the other groups of similar relays are'indicated by leads extending from the terminals of the other wipers. The progression switches O and D are simi lar to switches A and B and operate to step the respective wipers 0, 0 etc., and (Z '(Z etc., one step upon each depression and release of a key in the set of ten. As pre viously stated, certain of the keys may be employed to designate various stations and after the wipers of switches C and D are in their fifth positions, the depression of any one of these station keys will close a circuit to energize the associated one of a number of relays This will ground the corresponding sequence switch contact so that the stationsregister will be correctly set. Energizatio-n of relay 23 is also designed to start the operation of the various register sequence switches. ZWhen the number called contains no station designation, a relay 23 may be energized to start the operation of the above named sequence switches by the depression of key 0. Release of the station key or key 0 again causes the wipers of switches C and D to step to thenext or normal position. The numerical and station registers indicated by their sequence switch contacts 24 to 28, respectively, are arranged in a similar manner to that described in connection to the various oflice registers. Relays 19 to 23 of the group assigned to wiper c are adapted to ground the respective register sequence switch contacts in position 1 only, while the relays of the second group assigned to wiper -0 ground the sequence switch contacts in only position 2, etc.

Should adesired number contain a lesser number of digits than that required by the highest number in the exchange, the operator may. then close any one of three master keys 29, 30 or 31 in which instance the wipers of switches C and D will be 'moved one, two 0r three steps. If moved one step, it will be apparent that when a key is depressed toset the first numerical register, which would ordinarily be the thousands register, the wipers of switches C and D will be in their second positions and one of the relays 20 corresponding to the hundreds digit of a number would be energized instead of relay 19. Likewise, if the switches C and D are operated twice, only relays 21 and 22 will be energized when the keys corresponding to the tens and units digits of a number are depressed. I

It is believed that aconcrete example will now aid in fully understanding the operation of the system. Let it be assumed that the ofiice designation of a required number is represented by numerals 1, 2 and 3, and that the digits of the number are 1, 6, 8

and 9. With the parts in the position shown in the drawings the operator firstdepresses key 1 which closes a circuit extending from grounded battery right winding of relay 11, wiper a in position 1, key 1 and conductor 32 to ground. Relay 11 energizes and locks up over a circuit extending through its left winding, front contact and inner left armature, conductor 33 and back contact and inner left armature, ofrelay 34- to ground. Relay 34 is controlled by a cord finder switch (not shown) similar to that employed in the patent above referred to. Said relay remains deenergized until what is known as the key release position of the cord finder switch is reached whereupon a circuit is closed through a sequence switch contact 35 to energize said relay with the result later to be described. Relay 11 will therefore remain energized until the registers have all been set. Energization of relay 11 closes a circuit for relay 36 which, in attracting its armatures, applies ground to the various conductors extending therefrom, to prepare circuits for the class, district brush and district group register sequence switches, represented by numerals ll, 15 and 16, respectively, which circuits are closed when said switches reach position 1. \Vhen key 1 is depressed and relay 11 is energized, a circuit is established for the magnets of progression switches A and B extending from grounded battery through the windings of said magnets to the common conductor 37, right armature and front contact of relay 11, wiper a key 1 and conductor 32 to ground. Magnets of switches A and B are energized in this circuit but the switches are so constructed that the wipers thereof remain in position at this time. The operator releases key 1 whereupon the energizing circuit for the magnets of switches. A and B is broken and these magnets release to step the respective wipers into their second positions. Key 2 is then depressed with the result that the ground upon conductor 82 is extended through the wiper a in its second position to the relay 12 of the second group of relays associated with said wiper so that said relay is en- 7 ergized in the same maner as relay 11 and is locked up through its front contact and inner left armature to conductor 33. The magnets of switches A and B are again energized over common conductor 37 of the second group and through the right armature and front contact of the relay 12 of said group. Release of key 2 by the operator then opens the energizing circuit for said magnets whereupon the same release and step their respective wipers into posi tion 3. hen relay 12 of the second group is energized the conductor extending from its outer left armature is grounded and since this conductor is extended to posi- 35 \Vhen key manner as described in connection with relays Hand 12. Relay 13 of the third group will energize and lock up to conductor 33 and in so doing will extend ground from its middle left armature and front contact so that when the sequence switch of the office group register 18 reaches position 3, a circuit will close for said switch. Energiz ation of relay 13 of the third group also extends ground from; its outer left armature and front contact through the starting relay 38 and a circuit is thereby closed for this relay which will effect the operation of the several office register se 'quence switches in a well known manner. \Vhen key 3 is released, magnets of switches A and B again operate and step the wipers thereof to their fourth positions where they remain until relay 34; is energized.

The operator now depresses the key corresponding to the thousands digit of the wanted number which, in the case assumed, is 1. This operation closes a circuit for the thousands relay 19. extending from grounded battery, left winding of said relay, wiper c in position 1, wiper a in position 1, key- 1 and conductor 32 to ground. Relay 19 energizes and locks up through its right winding, front contact and inner right armature to the conductor 33 which is grounded through the back contact and inner left armature of relay 34. Energization of relay 19 establishes a circuit for the stepping magnets of progression switches C and D which extends from grounded battery through the windings of said magnets, comaccordance with the keys depressed.

mon conductor 39, left armature and front contact of relay 19, wiper 0 in position 1, wiper a in position 4, key 1 and conductor 32 to ground. Magnets of switches C and I) are energized but do not step the wipers of these switches to their second positions until key 1 is released and the energizing circuit of said magnets is opened. Ground is now extended from the outer right armature of relay 19 to one of the sequence switch contacts of the thousands register 24 so that wnen the sequence switch of said register is operated and the same reaches position 1, a circuit will be closed therefor. The operator now depresses and releases keys 6, S and 9, in succession which will cause the energization of relays 20, 21 and :22 of groups associated with wiper-s d 613 and d, respectively. Each of the relays mentioned locks up to the conductor 33 in the same manner as described in connection with relay 19 and energization of said relays applies ground to the several conductors leading to sequence switch contacts of the registers 26 and 27 so that when the sequence switches are operated the same will be brought to a stop in the positions corresponding to the numbers of the keys depressed. W'hen the last or units digit key is released the switches G and D operate to step their respective wipers to their fifth positions. In the case assumed there is no station designation and the operator therefore depresses key 0 whereupon relay 23 of the group associated with wiper (Z is energized and locked up in the same manner as described in connection with the other relays. In the present case, provision is made in the station register 28 for only 4 station designations indicated by positions 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the sequence switch contacts associated with said register and therefore the energization of relay 23 associated with wiper (Z when key 0 is depressed, has no effect upon the station register sequence switch. Upon the release of key 0, wipers of switches C and D are again stepped in the usual manner and thereby return to normal position. Energization of relay 23 extends the ground through winding of starting relay 4:0 and this relay is energized in the same manner as relay 38 to start the operation of the sequence switches associated with the various numerical registers to position the same in After this operation has taken. place and the cord finder sequence switch (not shown) has reached a' certain position, as in the patent referred to above, the previously mentioned circuit for relay 34: is closed through the cord finder sequence, switch contact 35 and said relay energizes. The removal of ground from the inner left armature of said relay immediately opens the'locking circuits for all of the relays that have been locked up to the conductor 33 and these relays are then deenergized. It will be recalled that the wipers of switches A and B are in their fourth positions and in order that the same may he stepped to normal, a circuit is again established for the magnets of said switches extending from grounded battery through the windings of said magnets, common conductor 37, the right armature and back contact of either of the relays 11, 12 and 13, conductor 41 and front contact and right armature of relay 3% to ground. Th magnets A and B are energized in this circuit and as soon as the cord tinder sequence switch moves out of the position in which energizing circuit for relay 3% is closed, this relay deenergizes and opens the circuit for said magnets which thereupon release and step the wipers of the switches to normal.

If the desired number has a station designation the proper key is depressed, after the units key is released, and causes the energization of one of the relays 23 through its associated. wiper with the same result as previously described.

Should the desired number contain only three digits instead of four. the operator, before depressing the key corrseponding to the hundreds digit, operates the hundreds master key A circuit is then closed for the magnets of progression switches C and I) extending from grounded battery, the windings, armatures and back contacts of said magnets through the associated wipers 0 and a? in position 1 and over the common conductor 42 to ground through the key 29. This being a self-interrupting circuit, the attraction of the arniatures of the magnets of said switches opens said circuit and causes all of the wipers of the switches to he stepped to their second positions. Then when the key corresponding to the hundreds digit of the desired number is depressed, the relay 19 will not be affected-but one of the relays 20 will be energized as before. If the desired number contains only two digits, the operation of tens master key 30 will cause the wipers of switches C and I) to he stepped twice by the closure of a circuit extending from ground, the left spring contact of key 30, the right spring contact of key 29 in its normal position and from tl'lQIIGC over the conductor 1-2 to the magnets of said progression switches. After the first step of the wipers thereof, another circuit is established directly from the left spring con tact of key 30 over conductor %3 and through wipers 0 and d in their second positions to again operate the switches one step. In the same manner when the units master key 31 is depressed, circuits for energizing the magnets of switches C and I) extend in series through spring contacts of the various master keys until the wipers 0 and d have been stepped to their fourth positions. The

group of master keys are preferably of a mechanically locking type and therefore remain in their operative positions until re lay 34: is energized whereupon a circuit is established for release magnet let extending from grounded battery, winding of said magnet and front contact and outer left armature of relay 84 to ground. Magnet 14: energizes, and in so doing releases the master key or keys which have been depressed.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. In a controlling system for electrical signaling, the combination ota single set of digit keys, registers controlled thereby, means operated each successive time any one of said keys is actuated for associating said set of keys with successive ones of said registers, and means for controlling said last named means to pass by certain of said regis ters without operating them.

2. In a cont-rolling system for electrical signaling, the combination of a single set of digit keys, registers controlled thereby, means for sequentially associating said set of keys with a number of registers to be operated and means "for controlling said last named means to vary the number of registers to be associated with said keys.

3. In a controlling system for electrical signaling, the combination of a. single set of digit keys, registers controlled thereby, means for sequentially associating said set of keys with a combination of registers and means for controlling said last named means to modify said combination with respect to the number of registers therein.

4. In a controlling system for electrical signaling, the combination of a single set of digit keys, registers controlled thereby,-

means for associating said set of keys with a combination of registers, and other keys for controlling said last named means to modify said combination with respect to the number of registers therein.

5. A controlling system for electrical signaling, comprising av plurality of digit keys, each key representing a different digit of a decimal system, a plurality of registers, one of which is provided for each digit place of the highest number designed to be signaled, means for successively associating said plurality of digit keys with the various registers upon each manipulation of one of said digit keys, and means for controlling said last named means whereby only certain of said registers are brought into association with said digit keys.

6. A controlling system for electrical signaling, comprising a plurality of digit keys, each key representing a different digit of a decimal system, a plurality of registers, one of which is provided for each digit place of the highest number designed to be signaled, means for successively associating said plurality of-digit keys with the various registers upon each manipulation of one of said digit keys, and a. plurality of keys operable to associate only certain of said registers with the first named keys.

7. A controlling systemtor electrical signaling, comprising a plurality of digit keys, each key representing a different digit of a decimal system, a plurality of registers, one of which is provided for each digit place of the highest number designed to be signaled, means for successively associating said plurality of digit keys with the various registers upon each manipulation of one of said digit keys, and other keys for controlling the last named means whereby only certain of said registers are brought into association with the first named keys.

8. In a controlling circuit for electrical signaling, the combination of a single set of digit keys, there being one key in said set representing each of a plurality of digits in a decimal system registers controlled by said keys, means for associating said set of keys with a number of registers tobe oper ated and means for controlling said last named means to vary the number of registers to be associated with said keys.

9. In a controlling system for electrical signaling, the combination of a single set of digit keys, registers controlled thereby, a switching device for sequentially associating said set of keys with a. number of registers to be operated, means for advancing said switching device each time one of said keys is actuated, and means for advancing said switching device independently of said keys to vary the number of registers to be associated with said keys.

10. In a controlling system for electrical signaling the combination of a. single set of digit keys each key representing a different digit of av decimal system, a plurality of registers equal in number to the number of digit places of the highest number to be signaled, a switching device for successively associating said set of keys with the various registers upon each manipulation of one of said keys, and means for advancing said switching device to associate said keys with a combination of registers less than the whole number of registers.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 19th day 0t November, A. D. 1919.

TUDOR VAN AMSTEL. 

